Damaged and the Knight (Damaged #2)

“You deserved everything, Tawny. I’d give you it too, but I think what you need isn’t something I can buy.”


“No, it’s not, but I appreciate the thought.”

“Am I being a good friend? I don’t know because usually I just tell people to shut up and leave me alone when they have feelings.”

“You’re being great,” I said, hugging her. “You did make me feel better. Important too.”

Bailey sighed. “I’m jealous of the attention Farah is getting for the wedding. I might need more help to keep from showing her up.”

“Imagine you’re picking things out for your wedding. If you think about how you’ll have a beautiful wedding one day with a guy who loves you like Coop loves Farah then you won’t feel so jealous. You can settle down and be supportive.”

“I’ll try, but I’m not kidding about Skye being out of the wedding. I don’t care what Farah says. Skye is a bitch and she doesn’t value Farah. She only cares about her boytoy and her friends in Memphis. Fuck her. She’s not in the wedding, even if I have to tie her up and ditch her somewhere.”

“I don’t want Skye in the wedding either. Farah probably doesn’t either, but she’s not great at confrontation. You can tell Skye to fuck off, so Farah doesn’t have to. It’ll be your bridesmaid duty.”

Bailey laughed. “I’m going to make that bitch cry.”

Laughing too, I returned to the store where Farah waited. Her expression was dark until she saw me giggling with Bailey.

“I know you can’t pick a dress today,” I told Farah, “but I like this one the most. We’ll take pictures, so you can remember how beautiful you look.”

Maddy appeared next to us. “I found a dress that’ll look good on me as well as you skinny broads.”

“I found a dress in red,” Sawyer said, still twirling around. “Farah, you look beautiful.”

“Thanks, sweetpea.”

“Who’s ready to ditch this place and get lunch?” Jodi asked.

Everyone looked restless as we took photos of the dresses we liked and made plans to come back closer to the wedding for fittings. Walking out of the store, I held hands with Farah and Bailey while thinking only happy thoughts.





Chapter Eleven


When my birthday arrived, I decided it was a big deal. I wasn’t merely one day older, but a woman now. No more hiding behind my sister and her man, I would build a life of my own. I already had a job lined up at Denny’s for the morning shift. I also found an apartment I could afford on my salary. Cooper was pissed about both of these changes. Farah just seemed sad, but she claimed to understand. For her, I was still the damaged little sister in need of protection. No more hiding behind Farah, I thought waking on my birthday. From this day on, I was a new woman.

By the time the house was filled with Cooper’s friends and the party was hitting full gear, I decided I would find me a boyfriend. While no man could compare to Judd in my mind, any guy might help me take another step into independence.

While Aaron made clear how he and I couldn’t happen, I still hurried to his side when he arrived.

“You came,” I said stupidly.

“Of course. Happy birthday.”

“It’s just I don’t know any of these people, but I know you.”

Aaron grinned. “Let’s see if you still like me after the tat. I’ve had more than a few people stop talking to me afterwards.”

“That’s stupid.”

“Pain makes people stupid.”

“By people, do you mean women?” I asked, hands on my hips and fake offended.

Aaron’s smile grew. “Oh, no, I’m not falling into that trap. Besides, men the size of linebackers have freaked out and girls small enough to fit in my trunk have dozed off in the middle of it. Can’t be sure how you’ll react until you’re under the needle.”

“I’m excited though,” I said, smiling up at him. “Your drawing was beautiful and imagining something so amazing on my body seems unbelievable.”

“Wait,” Cooper grunted, suddenly appearing from behind a corner, “what’s on your body?”

As Cooper hovered over him menacingly, Aaron laughed. “I told Tawny that you wouldn’t want us hooking up.”

“No fucking way.”

I punched Cooper’s arm as hard as I could, meaning he barely felt it. “Stop threatening him. I’m a woman today and I’m hooking up with anyone I want.”

“No, I have to screen them first,” Cooper said with complete seriousness.

“He’s your best friend,” I muttered.

“Exactly. He needs a woman who will swoon for him. You’re more like giddy over him. Not good enough. Find someone else.”

Aaron and I laughed while Cooper shrugged. His irritation faded when Farah appeared wearing a clingy burgundy sweater. Cooper’s gaze locked onto her chest and Farah grinned knowingly.